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Repair or replace?

wayne36

By wayne36
in Ask A GM Technician

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wayne36 Enthusiast

wayne36

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The truck is in good shape other than the valve guide seals, had the coolant system pressurized for leaks and none were found, so they said it could be burning it. The oil doesn't look like it has water it. But yeah 6k for an engine plus labor I would probably buy another truck. I will call tomorrow and get a quote that alone may make my decision for me.

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

Which vehicles have the castech problems?

Models affected:

 

2004-2006 Buick Rainier

 

2001-2006 Cadillac Escalade Models

 

2001-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, Blazer, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer Models

 

2001-2006 GMC Envoy, Jimmy, Sierra, Yukon Models

 

2001-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

 

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

 

with 4.8L or 5.3L VORTEC® GEN III, GEN IV V8 Engine (VINs V, T, M, B, Z -- RPOs LR4, LM7, LH6, L33, L59)

 

TSB for it http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bluegorilla/2008-12-05_142924_Coolant_loss_5.3.pdf

 

 

Also the heads on the exhaust side on top have a casting number. It can be seen with the valve covers on. Easiest one to see is passenger side and its at the front. 706 is the main casting affected by Castech. Here is a pic of what the casting number looks like

317.jpg

317.jpg

317.jpg

317.jpg

02suburbanZ71 Senior Enthusiast

02suburbanZ71

Posted
Posted

Models affected:

 

2004-2006 Buick Rainier

 

2001-2006 Cadillac Escalade Models

 

2001-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, Blazer, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer Models

 

2001-2006 GMC Envoy, Jimmy, Sierra, Yukon Models

 

2001-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

 

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

 

with 4.8L or 5.3L VORTEC[emoji768] GEN III, GEN IV V8 Engine (VINs V, T, M, B, Z -- RPOs LR4, LM7, LH6, L33, L59)

 

TSB for it http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bluegorilla/2008-12-05_142924_Coolant_loss_5.3.pdf

 

 

Also the heads on the exhaust side on top have a casting number. It can be seen with the valve covers on. Easiest one to see is passenger side and its at the front. 706 is the main casting affected by Castech. Here is a pic of what the casting number looks like

Thanks chris. Just what i was looking for [emoji106]

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

Yes they do. And they also arent happy if you use regular 87 octane

My truck isn't either ... but it's a LMG. If I run 87 and tow, it will ping so loud trying to maintain 65mph that I have to do 50 on the highway.

 

Odd thing about it is, it never did it when it was new, even with the Hypertech program. The truck seems to have slowly GAINED power as it's aged, just based on seat-of-the-pants. Almost like it was programmed to be a dog just to get it though warranty. Wouldn't surprise me ....

 

Even with premium I will hear a slight ping at full throttle. I always thought the computer was supposed to take care of all that. Bugs the crap out of me that I can't turn a bolt and twist a distributor ...

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

My truck isn't either ... but it's a LMG. If I run 87 and tow, it will ping so loud trying to maintain 65mph that I have to do 50 on the highway.

 

Odd thing about it is, it never did it when it was new, even with the Hypertech program. The truck seems to have slowly GAINED power as it's aged, just based on seat-of-the-pants. Almost like it was programmed to be a dog just to get it though warranty. Wouldn't surprise me ....

 

Even with premium I will hear a slight ping at full throttle. I always thought the computer was supposed to take care of all that. Bugs the crap out of me that I can't turn a bolt and twist a distributor ...

Well the thing with the LQ9 and octane is the compression ratio of 10:1
Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

Wow - that's up there for a stock engine. Must get out of the hole nice.

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

LS2 heads bump it to 10.9. An LS2 is 10.9. They use the same bore/stroke and the LS2 pistons were pulled from the LQ9. But on the topic since he has a gen 3 engine and not a gen 4, all other gen 3 engines are virtually plug and play. He can swap in an LS1 or LS6 if he pleased. But if i were in his shoes, and i may have been i would swap out the engine. Not sure if my issue with the 4.8 was a Castech issue or blown head gasket, didnt care to find out, i just did the swap i wanted since i had opportunity and could justify it in my head with something being wrong with the old one

02suburbanZ71 Senior Enthusiast

02suburbanZ71

Posted
Posted

Im tuned for 89 but because of the shitty winter blend i run top tier 93 oct. No pinging here but i definitely notice a mpg and power gain with top tier 93 over other 89 and 93 fuels.

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

In this wonderful state, they dilute all grades - there is no escape, unless your close to NH. I filled up in NH a few weeks ago (premium), and it felt as if the truck gained 30HP!

 

The thing with MA is, even though the pump says "10% ethanol", what your actually getting is anyone's guess. There's zero oversight on this for obvious reasons - everyone gets rich except the consumer. The state gets more tax revenue due to your crappy mileage, & the refiners make a killing cutting their product.

 

One particularly crappy tank I got at Hess read 19.7% alcohol content on my scan tool. :nonod:

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

In this wonderful state, they dilute all grades - there is no escape, unless your close to NH. I filled up in NH a few weeks ago (premium), and it felt as if the truck gained 30HP!

 

The thing with MA is, even though the pump says "10% ethanol", what your actually getting is anyone's guess. There's zero oversight on this for obvious reasons - everyone gets rich except the consumer. The state gets more tax revenue due to your crappy mileage, & the refiners make a killing cutting their product.

 

One particularly crappy tank I got at Hess read 19.7% alcohol content on my scan tool. :nonod:

 

E10 is pretty much everywhere. NH phased it in based on counties air quality or some BS. The area around Tilton was one of the last to switch from mtbe but that was still more than a decade ago. When I was at the Hyundai dealer the training rep said New England in general had junk gas quality.

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

E10 is pretty much everywhere. NH phased it in based on counties air quality or some BS. The area around Tilton was one of the last to switch from mtbe but that was still more than a decade ago. When I was at the Hyundai dealer the training rep said New England in general had junk gas quality.

A pump i filled up at last week said it contains MBTE. Old pump so i doubt it did
wayne36 Enthusiast

wayne36

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Just checked and mine is a 706 casting #. look on Jasper yesterday and they are priced at 2700- 3400 for motor.

  • 6 months later...
BretD04GMC Enthusiast

BretD04GMC

Posted
Posted

My '04 with 134,500 miles just suffered the failed head issue. Haven't popped the valve cover to confirm I have Castech heads, but no matter I definitely have coolant getting into the oil. Blackstone Labs oil test showed this and changing the oil just the other night showed how bad it is. Black sludge came out of the drain hole, and the catch can I run on the PCV hose was FULL of coolant and gunk. My heads are 862's, so I think various castings are susceptible.

Now debating to replace the engine or get rid of the truck. New motor is round $3,600 and I'd do the swap myself or take it to a friend's shop. The rest of the truck is solid, so $3,600 sounds better right now than making new truck payments. Plus, I'm not crazy about GM's AFM system on the new trucks.

Not such a fan of GM right now, to the point I test drove a 2015 Ford yesterday.

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